Indian scientists predict how bird flu could spread to humans

Indian scientists have developed a model to predict the potential spread of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, from birds to humans. The study emphasizes the importance of early interventions to prevent widespread transmission, highlighting the need for better surveillance and public health responses. By simulating outbreak scenarios in a synthetic community in India's poultry belt, researchers found that interventions like culling birds and quarantining close contacts can effectively contain the virus if implemented promptly. The study also underlines the significance of targeted vaccination to raise the threshold for sustained virus transmission.